1999 model year · 410+ owner reports · Updated April 2026
According to Au7o's analysis of 410+ owner reports, the 1999 Chevrolet Prizm has 5 documented known issues. No issues are rated critical, indicating generally reliable ownership. The most commonly reported issue is Excessive Oil Consumption with 180 owner reports. Across all issues, repair costs range from $0 to $2,500. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
On the 1998-2002 Chevrolet Prizm 1.8L I4, toyota 1ZZ-FE engine (shared with Corolla) consumes excessive oil due to piston ring design. Can burn 1 quart every 1,000-2,000 miles. Toyota issued a TSB for Corolla with same engine.
Monitor oil level frequently and top off between changes. Permanent fix requires piston ring replacement which is often not cost-effective. Some owners switch to 5W-30 from 5W-20.
Parts and tips from 180+ owners who fixed this issue
On the 1998-2002 Chevrolet Prizm 1.8L 1ZZ-FE, the Toyota-sourced 1.8L 1ZZ-FE engine has a well-documented excessive oil consumption problem caused by poorly designed oil control piston rings. The rings do not adequately scrape oil from the cylinder walls, leading to consumption of 1 quart per 1,000 miles or worse. Toyota acknowledged the defect in the Corolla/Matrix but GM did not offer a similar remedy for the Prizm.
The only permanent fix is replacing the piston rings with the updated design (Toyota revised the ring design in 2005). This requires a full engine teardown. As a management strategy, check oil every fill-up and top off as needed. Use 5W-30 conventional oil — some owners report reduced consumption with conventional over synthetic.
Parts and tips from 0+ owners who fixed this issue
On the 1998-2002 Chevrolet Prizm, rear strut mounts wear causing clunking noise over bumps and poor ride quality. Rubber mounts deteriorate and bearing fails.
Replace rear strut assemblies with mounts. Quick-strut assemblies include mount, spring, and strut as pre-assembled unit for easier install.
Parts and tips from 100+ owners who fixed this issue
On the 1998-2002 Chevrolet Prizm, the front strut mount bearings wear out, causing a clunking noise over bumps and a grinding or popping sensation when turning the steering wheel at low speed. The rubber isolator in the mount also deteriorates, transmitting more road noise and vibration into the cabin.
Replace both front strut mounts and bearings. This is typically done during strut replacement. If the struts are still in good condition, just the mounts can be replaced using spring compressors. Have a wheel alignment performed after strut mount replacement.
Parts and tips from 0+ owners who fixed this issue
On the 1998-2002 Chevrolet Prizm, oxygen sensors fail causing poor fuel economy and check engine light. Both upstream and downstream sensors prone to failure. Oil consumption issues accelerate sensor fouling.
Replace failed oxygen sensor(s). Use Denso or NTK OEM-quality sensors. Address any oil consumption issue to prevent premature fouling of new sensor.
Parts and tips from 130+ owners who fixed this issue
SUSPENSION
RIDE CONTROL IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT STRUT MOUNTS BRANDED AS GABRIEL RIDE CONTROL OR ARVINMERITOR, P/NOS. 142435, 142193, 142305, 142303, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FRONT STRUT MOUNTS DID NOT CONTAIN A WELD JOINT BETWEEN THE BEARING HOUSING AND THE RATE PLATE.
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According to Au7o's analysis of 410+ owner reports, the 1999-1999 Chevrolet Prizm has 5 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Excessive Oil Consumption, 1.8L 1ZZ-FE Oil Consumption Due to Piston Ring Design, Oxygen Sensor Failure. None are rated critical, but regular maintenance is recommended.
The 1999-1999 Chevrolet Prizm has 5 known issues documented across 410+ owner reports. No issues are rated critical, suggesting generally good reliability. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known Chevrolet Prizm issues range from $0 to $2,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
Toyota 1ZZ-FE engine (shared with Corolla) consumes excessive oil due to piston ring design. Can burn 1 quart every 1,000-2,000 miles. Toyota issued a TSB for Corolla with same engine. Repairs typically run $0-$2,500. Severity: medium.
The Toyota-sourced 1.8L 1ZZ-FE engine has a well-documented excessive oil consumption problem caused by poorly designed oil control piston rings. The rings do not adequately scrape oil from the cylinder walls, leading to consumption of 1 quart per 1,000 miles or worse. Toyota ack… Repairs typically run $50-$2,000. Severity: medium.
Oxygen sensors fail causing poor fuel economy and check engine light. Both upstream and downstream sensors prone to failure. Oil consumption issues accelerate sensor fouling. Repairs typically run $100-$300. Severity: low.
Rear strut mounts wear causing clunking noise over bumps and poor ride quality. Rubber mounts deteriorate and bearing fails. Repairs typically run $200-$500. Severity: low.
The front strut mount bearings wear out, causing a clunking noise over bumps and a grinding or popping sensation when turning the steering wheel at low speed. The rubber isolator in the mount also deteriorates, transmitting more road noise and vibration into the cabin. Repairs typically run $150-$400. Severity: low.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.
